SPEAKING of Jeter…

Jeter will not be making an appearance tonight. Sorry, five-year-old Yankees fan whose father let you press the mouse button for the first time… just so you could vote on your pinstriped hero. You can’t even pronounce his name correctly yet, can you? I see it now… tearful lip quiver… dad-assisted mouse click… “Thissun’s fuh you, Deyawick Jeeetah!”

Alas, little Bobby, your vote doesn’t count. It’s like a real vote, except much, much more ridiculous. See, your hero? He’s not playing in the All-Star Game… no matter how many times Daddy lets you click the mouse.

See, Derek, I don’t know if they teach you this in the pinstripe club, but the All-Star game? It’s not about you. It’s about the thousands of fans who, God knows why, voted for you. Clicked on your picture, Derek. Is it so hard to pop your head out of the dugout tonight and say “hi?” Have a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

He’s just too “exhausted” after the physical and mental (you kidding me?) stress of hitting number 3,000.

See, Derek. The reason you GOT to number 3,000? It wasn’t the Stankee organization. And it sure as hell wasn’t your audience-planted speed gun. It was the fans. The fans like that five-year-old wearing a Jeter onesie and clicking your picture on the All-Star ballot. Way to diss them. Aren’t you supposed to be Mr. Congeniality?

It’s okay, little 5-year-old Stank fan. Red Sox Nation has room for you. You can sit next to me.

~L

See… I don’t really care about the All-Star game. Because it’s not MY job. But you best believe when advertiser banquets happen at my publishing company, I’m there with a Vaseline smile.

Okay. I hate his mouth. I also hate his bald head but I won’t hate him for your sake. I’ll be a good virtual friend and pretend I like him for your sake. Sounds like this will make a good blog. Let me work on this:)

I, personally, almost detest the All-Star game. However, I think it should be required to attend if you are voted/picked to play. Should be in the contract. It’s a slap in the face of the fans, without which there would be NO baseball, remember?? These guys get paid multi-million dollar contracts to PLAY A GAME, and he doesn’t want to go because he’s TIRED?????

right? I understand why he doesn’t want to play. I don’t understand why he doesn’t want to show up and wave at the camera. I mean, late thirties, recovering calve injury. Totally support the decision to not risk his career for an All-Star Game. But he could at least show up!

I’ve been trying to take the high road on this All-Star Game stuff with my posts and comments because thirty years ago it meant something to me…but it really is a joke now. Charlie Manuel and his staff have told many stories to the Philly media about how managers get the word out to the All-Star Manager each year they would prefer their pitchers not even warm up…let alone play. One year, a team was quietly furious in the background the All-Star Manager in question warmed up their pitcher in the bullpen. The majority of pitchers and position players alike want the time off but don’t have the heart to say it out loud. DItch the All-Star Games in ALL sports! They are ALL a joke.